KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety police have released the identity of a man shot and killed in an officer involved shooting in Kalamazoo on Sunday, March 20.
33-year-old Nicholas Conklin of Battle Creek was shot and killed by KDPS officers while trying to flee the apartment where he was staying at 1008 South Westnedge.
Officers responded to the address at 10:19 a.m. when they received an anonymous phone call saying that the suspect had a stolen vehicle in the driveway of the residence. When they arrived, officers located the stolen F-150 as described by the caller, which was confirmed to be stolen out of Van Buren County.
Conklin had five outstanding warrants for his arrest at the time.
Police entered the apartment complex at 10:29 a.m. and attempted to make contact with Conklin whom they confirmed was upstairs in an apartment. At 10:33 a.m., officers observed the suspect cutting the screen of the second story window attempting to flee, and then went back inside once he saw the officers.
Officers then discovered that a female was with Conklin in the dwelling and attempted to make contact with her. She denied at the time that Conklin was inside with her. At 10:39 a.m. a single gunshot rang out and the female screamed. An officer tried to force open the door to the upper level apartment, but was unsuccessful.
A second shot was then fired within the apartment at the officers from the suspect. Two officers on the lower level stairwell moved to a position with cover while Conklin exited the apartment with a handgun pointing at the officers. A third officer who was on the second level stopped Conklin’s advance by firing several shots in his direction.
The exchange of gunfire lasted less than an minute and the female inside the apartment was uninjured.
Officers on scene administered first aid measures with Conklin succumbing to gunshot wounds at 11:17 a.m.
During a press conference held on Monday, March 21, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Police Chief Vernon Coakley gave his reassurance that the incident would receive a detailed and thorough investigation and review by the Michigan State Police.
Also during the press conference, Kalamazoo City Mayor David Anderson expressed his condolences to those affected by the shooting along with his gratitude to the officers of KDPS, all the while trying to find words to make Sunday’s event make sense.
Anderson concluded the press conference by readdressing his position and priority of addressing gun violence in Kalamazoo.
Conklin was on probation for a 2018 charge in Kalamazoo County for receiving and concealing stolen property – motor vehicle, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records. He also pleaded guilty in 2013 to operating and maintaining a lab involving methamphetamine and fourth-degree fleeing a police officer.
The officer who shot Conklin is now on paid administrative leave as per standard operating procedure.
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